Principal Genetic Counsellor

Job description

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you'll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the 'Supporting Documents' heading.

Explore 'Inside MFT - Your Candidate Place'

To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT - Your Candidate Place. This welcoming one-stop hub gives you a real sense of who we are - what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. You'll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.

To access 'Inside MFT - Your Candidate Place, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the 'Supporting Documents' section and once opened, you can where either scan QR code or click on the link provided.

Closing vacancy listings early

We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we're proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU-for our patients, our communities, and each other.
As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application-especially personal statements and responses to role-specific questions-is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Person specification

Education training and qualifications

Essential criteria

• First degree (in genetics, nursing, or biological/social sciences)
• Professional qualification (STP Genomic Counsellor training or MSc genetic counselling, RGN, etc)
• Registered Genetic Counsellor GCRB / HCPC (or overseas equivalent)

Desirable criteria

• Approved GCRB Sign off Mentor
• Counselling certificate or diploma

Knowledge and experience

Essential criteria

• Significant experience in genetic counselling with experience of managing an individual caseload
• Mentoring and supervision of genetic counsellors
• Excellent communication and counselling skills
• Understanding of professional and current issues related to genetics, the NHS, and relevant fields
• Critical thinking skills; knowledge and awareness of ethical practice
• Works within AGNC code of ethics and GCRB code of conduct
• Able to articulate personal development needs

Desirable criteria

• Experience of leading and managing a team
• Experience of the STP programme in genomic counselling
• Academic experience, teaching and/or research
• Experience of audit and service improvement
• Experience of problem solving and change management

Skills and abilities

Essential criteria

• Excellent managerial, leadership and organisational skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication and listening skills
• Ability to work autonomously and manage an independent caseload
• Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team
• Maintain Registration with GCRB / HCPC or equivalent overseas Registration Board.

Desirable criteria

• Ability to teach/educate professionals and families
• Able to problem solve and initiate change
• Able to problem solve and initiate change
• Ability to analyse research findings to inform practice development

Personal circumstances

Essential criteria

• Must be willing to travel between centres for peripheral clinic delivery
• Must be willing to do some out of hours work when necessary

Desirable criteria

• Clean driver's licence

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